Unitary doorframe trimming device



June 1952 R. s. FERRARA 2,599,244

UNITARY DOORFRAME TRIMMING DEVICE Filed Nov. 50, 1951 INVENTOR R05 E 5; FERRARA ATTO R g Y Patented June 3, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UNITARY DOORFRAME TRIMMING DEVICE Rose S. Ferrara, Bronx, N. Y.

Application November 30, 1951, Serial No. 259,118

6 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for trimming or decorating upper portions of doorframes to produce a pleasing efiect and environment within a room or compartment controlled by the door of such room. More particularly, the invention .deals with a device of this type and kind which is unitary in construction, so as to facilitate simple merchandising and packaging of the device, as well as simple installation thereof.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, illustrating a doorframe with one of my improved devices mounted thereon.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of a part of the frame showing the device mounted in position thereon; and

Fig. 3 is a plan and sectional view of the device in collapsed or folded position for packaging or shipment.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, I have indicated at a doorframe comprising sideframe strips II and I2 and an upper cross-strip l3 and, at I4, I have shown a door hinged to the strip II to swing outwardly with respect to a room or compartment, access to which is controlled by the door [4. In other words, the perspective view is visualized from the interior of a room or compartment.

At I5 I have shown one of my improved unitary devices to trim, characterize or ornament the upper portion of the doorframe ID. The device l5 comprises an elongated strip l6, which may be termed a bar, rod or frame member, preferably made of light material and of any desired cross-sectional contour. For example, a plastic strip or bar could be employed and this bar is disposed in a hemmed portion I! of a fabric or plastic sheet I8, the hem being disposed adjacent one side edge portion IQ of the sheet, the edge of which is preferably scalloped or otherwise ornamented, as indicated at 20.

The flange portion I9 is formed by using a facing sheet [9' suitably secured to 9 and I9 includes a portion ll, which forms part of the hem H, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The other or upper edge 2| of the sheet I 8 has a portion 22 turned upon itself and passed through these portions 2| and 22 at spaced intervals are eyelets, or the like 23, to

2 engage suitable fastening devices such, for example, as hooks 24 which are fixed to the upper portion of the strip [3 of the doorframe.

The bar or rod [6 extends beyond the ends of the sheet It; to form forked pivot or hinge portions l6, note Fig. 3, with which bent or curved ends 25 of brace rods, strips or frame members 26 are hingedly coupled, as clearly seen in Fig. 3, the rods or strips 26 having bracket ends 21 through which a screw or other fastening device 28 can be passed in securing the bracket ends 21 to the side strips II and 12 of the doorframe, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing.

With the construction shown, it will be apparent that the entire strip l8, including the edges [9, 2|, can be rolled around the bar or rod l6 in the manner diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3, and the bars 26 folded thereon to form an elongated compact package, which will facilitate packaging and shipment thereof. At the same time, it will be understood that, when the purchaser wishes to install the device, all that is necessary is to extend the rods 26 to a position at right angles to the rod 16 and then unwind the strip l8. Then the fastening or coupling devices 24 are positioned on the door'frame strip l3, the eyelets being suitable for marking the position of the devices 24 on the strip l3, after which the eyelets are coupled with the devices 24; then the two rods 26 are moved to a position on the strips I I and I2, soas to produce the desired or required inclination of thesheet 18 or extension of the device into the room, after which the screws or other fastenings 28 are employed to secure the brackets 21 to the strips II and I2.

It will be understood, in this connection, that the fastening devices 28 are not absolutely essential, as the brackets 21 may simply rest against the strips II and [2, without the need of any additional support. Here, it will be desirable that the hinge coupling between 26 and. I6, or 16', will be a frictional hinge, so as to obviate free relative movement between the parts.

It will be understood that devices of the character described can be produced in any desired decorative material to produce the desired decorative effect over the door opening consistent with the curtains, draperies and the like employed in the room, in which the device is to be used. The particular shape and contour of the sheeting may also be modified to suit different uses and installations. The entire purpose of my invention resides in providing over a doorframe, which is usually blank and unattractive,

a flexible sheet having an upper reinforced attaching edge, an elongated rod fixed to the lower portion of said sheet, said rod having ends terminating at side portions of the sheet, a pair of brace rods pivotally coupled to the ends of said first named rod, said sheet being adapted to be normally rolled upon the first named rod to assume a compact mounting thereon, and said bracerods being collapsible onto the rolled sheet and assuming a positionparallel with respect to 'the'first named rod when the device is in collapsed-position.

2. A doorframe trimming device, comprising a flexible sheet having an upper reinforced attaching edge, an elongated rod fixed to the lower portion of said sheet, said rod having ends terminating at side portions of the sheet, a pair of brace rods pivotally coupled to the ends of said first named rod, said sheet being adapted to be normally rolled upon the first named rod to assume a compact mounting thereon, said brace rods being collapsible onto the rolled sheet and assuming a position parallel with respect to the first named rod when the device is in collapsed position, free ends of said brace rods having enlarged brackets, and thebrace rods joining the first named rod in curved portions.

3. A doorframe trimming device, comprising a flexible sheet having an upper reinforced attaching edge, an elongated rod fixed to the lower portion of said sheet, said rod. having ends terminating at side portions of the sheet, a pair of brace rods pivotally coupled to the ends of said first named rod, said sheet-being adapted to be normally rolled upon the first named rod to assume a compact mounting thereon, said brace rods being collapsible onto the v rolled sheet and assuming a position parallel with respect to the first named rod when the device is in collapsed position, free ends of said brace rods having enlarged brackets, the brace rods joining the first named rodein curved portions, and the sheet including a projection flap portion extending be- ;yond said .rod.

4. A doorframe trimming device, comprising "a flexible sheet having an upper reinforced'at- 'taching edge, an elongated rod fixed to the lower portion of said sheet, said rod having ends terminating at side portions of the sheet, a pair of brace rods pivotally coupled to the ends of said first named rod, said sheet being adapted to be normally rolled upon the first named rod to assume a compact mounting thereon, said brace rods being collapsible onto the rolled sheet and assuming a position parallel with respect to the first named rod when the device is in collapsed position, free ends of said brace rods having enlarged brackets, the brace rods joining the first named rod in curved portions, the sheet including a projecting fiap portion extending beyond said rod, an inner facing for the flap portion, and said facing having a part engaging said first named rod.

5. A doorframe trimming device, comprising a unitary structure, normally assuming an elongated compact package and adapted to be extended to form a decorative finish at the upper portion of a doorframe, said device, when extended, comprising a sheet of flexible material having a reinforced upper edge, including means for attachmenttothe upper cross-rail of a doorframe, the lower edge portion of the sheet havinga transverse member fixed thereto and extending at side edges of said sheet, a pair of brace members pivotally coupled to the ends of the first member, and said brace members having bracket ends adapted to bear upon side members of a doorframein support of the device on the doorframe.

6. A doorframe trimming device, comprising a unitary structure, normally assuming an elongated compact package and adapted to be extended to form a decorative finish at the upper portion of a 'doorframe, said device, when extended, comprising a sheet of flexible material having a reinforced upper edge, including means for attachment to the upper cross-rail of a doorframe, the lower edge portion of the sheet having a transverse member fixed thereto and extending at side edges of said sheet, a pair of brace members pivotally coupled to :the ends of the first member, said brace members having bracket ends adapted to bear upon side members of a doorframe in support of the device on the doorframe, and said sheet having'a flap portion extending beyond the first named member.

ROSE S. FERRARA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 743,706 Frazee Nov. 10, 1903 1,917,811 Richardson July 11, 1933 

